Cook-Monroe: A night of magic at the Botanical Garden

Updated 4:53 pm, Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Honoree Patsy Steves is surrounded by son Sam Bell Steves, from left, grandson Tres Steves and son Edward Steves at the San Antonio Botanical Garden's annual gala, Splendor in the Garden.

Honoree Patsy Steves is surrounded by son Sam Bell Steves, from left, grandson Tres Steves and son Edward Steves at the San Antonio Botanical Garden's annual gala, Splendor in the Garden.

Photo: Nancy Cook-Monroe, For The Express-News

Cook-Monroe: A night of magic at the Botanical Garden

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From the ribbon-festooned lanterns bobbing in the trees to the landmark Lucille Halsell Conservatory lighted in fuchsia and orange, the San Antonio Botanical Garden's Splendor in the Garden gala May 16 was an evening of unfolding magic. Under the vine-covered arbor and throughout the courtyard, guests marveled at the beauty of the gardens after 2 inches of rain the day before.

Honoree Patsy Steves sparkled as she greeted friends and the familial host committee: sons Marshall, with wife Jane; Edward, with wife Nancy; and Sam Bell and wife Sarah, as well as Nan and Patrick Watson and Susan and Steve Lewis Granddaughter Gloria Dilley and husband Miguel signed in arriving guests.

Nearby, Edith McAllister, Harriett and Ricardo Romo, Linda and Phil Hardberger and Phyllis and Jamie Browning visited with friends. Retired Trinity art professor Elizabeth Ridenhower greeted former students Sarah Steves and Wade Garlitz, attending with Ken Slavin In her pink jacket and his pink tie, Sandy and Mark Randol were among many guests obeying the invitation's call for garden-party attire.

Once the 650 guests has been corralled (with some difficulty) to the dinner tables, decorated with green tablecloths and stunning flower arrangements, board President Jeff Rochelle introduced distinguished guests including Luci Baines Johnson, Speaker of the Texas House Joe Straus, state Sen. Jeff Wentworth, County Judge Nelson Wolff, City Manager Sheryl Sculley and Bob Brackman, Botanical Garden executive director. (He seems to have forgotten Candace Andrews, the blossomlike community relations director of the Botanical Garden Society.)

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Rochelle introduced honoree Steves, a founding Botanical Garden board member, as a tireless advocate of the Botanical Garden. "She is passionate about the garden, passionate about wildflowers, passionate about nature, bats and fireworks. Tonight, Patsy, we have 650 attendees who want to say thank you for your innate sense of knowing the importance of connecting all of us to nature."

As dessert was served, fireworks colored the sky. The music of Beverly Houston started, and another phase of magic ensued.

Guests who saved their invitation will always have a memory of the evening - gorgeous drawings of the Botanical Garden on detachable panels are keepers.